KUALA LUMPUR: "Apai", aka General Tan Sri Affendi Buang, has officially called it a day to his military career, following decades of service to the Air Force and Armed Forces.

In his stead, outgoing Army Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman has officially been promoted to the country’s 22th Armed Forces chief.

In a ceremony on Wednesday (Sept 6) at Wisma Pertahanan, Gen Affendi handed over command to the former Army chief.

Gen Affendi, who went by Apai as his callsign during his pilot days, retires from the Armed Forces following a 43 year career that also included stints as a MiG-29 Fulcrum pilot and the founder of the aeronautical acrobatic team, the Smokey Bandits.

Segamat-born General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who was previously the Army deputy chief, has been promoted to the new Army chief.

He was also a key player during the Covid-19 pandemic response, through Op Penawar and Op Benteng.

In the same ceremony, Gen Mohammad also handed over his post of Army Chief to Segamat-born Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who was previously the Army deputy chief.

The post as the new Army chief also came with a promotion to general for Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain, who started his career in 1986 after enlisting as a cadet officer following his secondary school graduation from the Maktab Tentera Diraja (RMC).

"Even though there is a change in the leadership, I hope that the steadfastness, high professionalism and spirit of loyalty shown will continue to be exemplified by all members of the Armed Forces.

"It is the hope of myself, the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces that this new leadership will lead the Armed Forces to newer heights and to greater achievements," Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Hassan said in his speech.

The minister also said that the service of Gen Affendi has been exemplary and that the country and people of Malaysia owed him an immeasurable debt of gratitude.